Hoping to prevent the challenge, Hailey approached Declan and said, "Declan, you don't need to do this. You'll get hurt. If you need money"

Declan shot Hailey a glare, silencing her. She hadn't meant to insult him; she just didn't want him to get hurt.

Turning to the head contractor, Declan said, "We can begin."

One by one, the head contractor placed bags of cement on Declan's shoulders. Soon, eight bags were stacked there. Then, the ninth and tenth were added. Ewan clapped, deeply engrossed in the spectacle.

"I never knew you'd work so hard for money. Here's one thousand two thousand" Ewan said, throwing two thousand dollars on the ground.

As the head contractor added two more bags, Ewan threw more money. "Three thousand four thousand"

Declan's face remained expressionless despite carrying twelve cement bags. However, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his uniform was soaked.

Hailey desperately wanted to stop the challenge, but feared saying anything would make things worse. She could only watch in silence.

The head contractor hesitated to add another bag, noting Declan was around his son's age. "Declan, just let me know if you can't take anymore."

Declan said nothing, so the head contractor added two more bags.

"Five thousand six thousand," Ewan said, throwing six thousand dollars on the ground.

Hailey watched Declan with worry. He was a proud man, but his back was already bending under the fourteen cement bags.

Looking at Ewan, Hailey pleaded, "That's enough, Ewan. Stop it."

Just then, Declan's phone rang. The head contractor immediately said, "Declan, let's end this. You have a call."

Declan moved the fourteen bags to their designated location before returning to the crowd.

Glancing at the money, Ewan said, "There's your money, Declan. You earned it."

Declan lowered his gaze and reached for the money. However, Hailey's fair hands reached it first.

Crouching, she picked up the money, dusted it, and shoved it into Declan's hands. "Here. All six thousand dollars."

Declan met Hailey's eyes and took the money. He then gave Ewan a cold gaze. "Thank you, Mr. Ewan. If you're in the mood to bully someone with money next time, call me. I'd be happy to play."

Ewan was shocked. "You!" He hadn't expected Declan's casual response.

Declan answered his phone, expecting his mother, but heard Aileen's voice instead.

A flustered Aileen cried, "Declan, what do we do? Something happened to Mom!"

Declan tensed. "What happened, Aileen? Calm down and tell me."

"Mom fainted. Our neighbor and I brought her to the hospital, but they say we need to send her to the general hospital for a full body checkup."

"Where's the general hospital, Declan? I'm scared"

Aileen, a junior high school student, was understandably panicked.

Gripping the phone, Declan said, "Aileen, I'm coming."